Faking it? Miss McKeith is treated after 'passing out' in the jungle
Given how much she has struggled with life in the jungle, it probably seemed like a chance to make the best of a bad situation.
But Gillian McKeith’s staff have been forced to remove I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! branding from her website after ITV bosses accused them of cashing in.
While the nutritionist competes in the Australian wilderness, her official website was offering a ‘special jungle offer’ of a discount on ‘personal health profiles’, knocking the price down from £24.95 to £10. The profiles include an individual health score and top 20 foods.
The reality show’s logo was plastered across the corner of the promotion, together with ITV’s official publicity picture of Miss McKeith in a jungle hat.
But the advert was met with fury by ITV chiefs, who ordered the dietician’s representatives to remove it immediately.
Withdrawn: The promotional ad that appeared on Miss McKeith's website
Last night, an ITV source said: ‘We have spoken to Gillian’s representatives about this and they have taken it down. We have to approve the use of the logo and commercial use would require our permission.’
Miss McKeith’s agent added: ‘I was unaware of it and obviously Gillian is in the jungle so I can’t be in contact. I think it was just somebody in her web team took it upon themselves to do it, thinking they were being a bit industrious.
‘But as soon as I was made aware of it I told them they cannot exploit that commercially in any way whatsoever and it was removed.’
Miss McKeith, 51, has already been criticised by viewers who claim that she is exaggerating her phobias in front of the cameras and even accused her of faking a dramatic fainting spell.
She collapsed after being locked in a crate filled with rats and water during a challenge. More than eight million watched on Monday night as she was revived with oxygen – but many suggested it was a stunt after Miss McKeith was seen adjusting her vest top while being treated by on-set medic Bob McCarron.
A show source said: ‘This might all backfire on Gillian. Her fellow campers are starting to suspect she is putting it all on. But Gillian said she fainted and we would never refuse her medical attention.’
Last night, Miss McKeith’s daughter Skylar McKeith-Magaziner, 16, defended her mother, saying: ‘I think there are different levels of unconsciousness, and I think she had a lot of shock from [the challenge].
‘I think anyone would, so I think she just needed a few minutes to regain herself. I think she definitely needed the oxygen.’
source:dailymail